Sr Mgr, Dining Services

Every day at Disney Cruise Line we take pride in bringing the magic of Disney to life. We find joy in creating cherished memories and form genuine connections with our guests. We hold each other to the highest degree and always act responsibly while ensuring the safety of fellow cast, crew and guests. United by our Disney values, we work toward excellence in all we do. As a part of our team, you can work in a diverse and inclusive environment amidst a professional and supportive community. If you are ready to create unforgettable experiences and grow as a person and as a professional, apply today. 

The Senior Manager, Dining Services is responsible for the strategic direction, operational oversight, and fleet-wide enablement of Dining and Casual Dining Service operations across Disney Cruise Line.  This role provides direction for shipboard Dining Service Managers and Casual Dining Service Managers by establishing standards, systems, training, and talent strategies that ensure consistent delivery of world-class Guest experiences.

This position leads a shoreside Dining Services organization that functions as a center of excellence, translating business strategy, brand priorities, and operational requirements into scalable frameworks executed by shipboard leadership teams.  While not embedded in day-to-day onboard operations, the role is accountable for the effectiveness, consistency, and continuous improvement of shipboard dining service delivery fleet-wide.

Operating as the primary shore-to-ship functional owner for Dining and Casual Dining Services, this role partners closely with Culinary, Food & Beverage, Entertainment, Brand, Procurement, Safety, and HR teams to uphold Disney standards of Safety, Service, Quality, and Storytelling.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a shoreside Dining Services team responsible for:

  • Fleet-wide operational standards and Location Operating Guides (LOGs)

  • Training design, deployment, and sustainment strategies

  • Performance analytics, Guest satisfaction insights, and continuous improvement

  • Shipboard leadership enablement and readiness

• Establish clear roles, accountabilities, and priorities within the shoreside organization to ensure effective and consistent support of shipboard operations

• Serve as the functional escalation point and decision authority for dining service matters spanning multiple ships, new builds, and initiatives

• Own and evolve the fleet-wide Dining and Casual Dining Service strategy, aligned to Disney Cruise Line business objectives and brand standards

• Translate goals into clear operational priorities, performance metrics, and operational standards for shipboard dining leadership

• Provide senior-level thought leadership and influence across shipboard and shore-side stakeholders

• Provide functional leadership, strategic direction, and performance accountability to onboard Managers – Dining Services and Casual Dining Service Managers

• Define and communicate goals related to Guest satisfaction, crew engagement, operational excellence, and financial performance

• Act as a coach, mentor, and advisor to shipboard dining leaders, fostering strong leadership capability and accountability

• Partner with HR and Line of Business leaders to oversee succession planning, leadership development, and talent pipelines for shipboard dining roles

• Partner with Culinary, Food & Beverage, and other stakeholders to ensure training programs directly support the Guest experience

• Ensure consistent delivery, adoption, and sustainment of training onboard through shipboard leadership teams

• Establish and maintain fleet-wide service standards, operational frameworks, and best practices

• Analyze Guest feedback, operational data, and performance trends to identify systemic improvement opportunities

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning for Dining and Casual Dining Service operations

• Provide strategic input into capital planning, equipment standards, and procurement strategies

• Partner with Procurement and Sourcing to optimize cost, quality, and supply consistency through fleet scale

• Establish effective partnerships with:

  • Walt Disney World Food & Beverage to leverage synergies in product concepts, quality standards, and purchasing power

  • Marketing, Entertainment, and Brand teams to ensure dining concepts support immersive storytelling

  • Safety, Environmental, and Compliance partners to ensure regulatory adherence

• Influence senior stakeholders to drive alignment and results across shipboard and shore organizations

• Oversee Dining and Casual Dining SMS and LOG documentation affecting safety and environmental compliance

• Uphold Safety Management System (SMS) responsibilities within areas of control

• Ensure dining service operations meet internal standards and external regulatory requirements fleet-wide

Basic Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in large-scale hospitality, food & beverage, or service-driven operations

• Demonstrated experience in:

  • Multi-site or fleet-wide operations

  • Training systems and operational governance

  • Budget ownership and financial planning

  • Cross-functional influence at senior levels

• Ability to travel up to 25%

Preferred Qualifications

• Cruise, resort, theme park, or complex hospitality environment experience strongly preferred

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Food & Beverage Management, or equivalent Operations Management Experience

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